Octopamine-containing neurons in the alimentary tract of the earthworm (Eisenia fetida).
Octopamine-containing nerve cells have been demonstrated in the enteric plexus of the earthworm (Eisenia fetida), applying immunocytochemistry and HPLC assay. A few octopamine-immunoreactive neurons occurred in the fore- and hindgut, whereas their number in the midgut was considerably greater. Octopamine levels detected by HPLC correlated with the distribution of octopamine-containing nerve cells. A regulatory role for these intrinsic octopaminergic neurons is suggested in the enteric plexus in the earthworm alimentary tract. This is the first report on the occurrence of octopamine-containing nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system of an invertebrate.
Csoknya
M
M
Department of General Zoology and Neurobiology, Janus Pannonius University, Pécs, Hungary. vakapad@ttk.jpte.hu
Barna
J
J
Bánvölgyi
T
T
Hiripi
L
L
Eckert
M
M
Hámori
J
J
Elekes
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004064:Digestive System / Q000294:innervation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry*; D009655:Octopamine / Q000032:analysis*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000166:cytology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000166:cytology
D009655:Octopamine